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Merrill Will to Represent LumberJax in Western Division

February 21, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


PORTLAND, Feb. 21, 2007 - The National Lacrosse League (NLL) announced today that Portland LumberJax defenseman Brodie Merrill will be the starting transition player for the Western Division on Saturday, March 10 in the 2007 NLL All-Star Game. With Portland hosting the city's first-ever professional All-Star Game, Merrill will have a chance to play alongside the world's greatest players on his own home turf at the Rose Garden Arena.

"Earning a spot on the All-Star Team twice in two years is incredible," said Merrill. "It's an honor to represent Portland in the league's greatest showcase of talent."

Merrill has netted four goals and eight assists for 12 points so far this season. The Jax defenseman currently leads all NLL players with 114 looseballs through eight games and is on pace to break his previous season-record of 214. Last year's achievement represents the second-highest single-season looseball total in league history (Toronto's Jim Veltman picked up 226 loose balls last season, setting the new all-time record).

This will be the second year in a row that the defenseman will represent the West in the annual All-Star Game. Last season, Merrill earned a spot on the Western All-Star team and contributed 13 looseballs, six shots on goal and an assist during the contest. The Jax defenseman was later honored as the 2006 NLL Rookie of the Year and named to the Edge Active Care All-Rookie Team. Merrill also earned the 2006 Belmont.com Defensive Player of the Year Award and collected seven other Player of the Week accolades during his first year in the NLL. Not only did Merrill lead the team in looseballs last season but he also posted the highest number of assists (36), was third overall in points (53) and fourth on the team in goals-scored (17).

The Western and Eastern Division starting lineups were determined by a combination of votes from league general managers, media and fans who voted online at the NLL's official website. The remaining 12 reserves for each team will be announced in the next 24 hours.

The Eastern Division All-Stars will be coached by Buffalo Bandits head coach Darris Kilgour and assisted by Rochester Knighthawks head coach Ed Comeau. The Western Division All-Stars will be coached by Colorado Mammoth head coach Gary Gait and assisted by Arizona Sting head coach Bob Hamley. The All-Star Game's coaches were determined by how far teams progressed into the 2006 NLL Playoffs.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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